Career: 1997-2004
Debut: Round 10, 1997 vs Port Adelaide
1018th Carlton Player
Games: 110
Goals: 56
Last Game: Round 9, 2004 vs Western Bulldogs
Guernsey No. 47 (1996 - 1997) and 27 (1998-2004)
Height: 175cm
Weight: 80kg
DOB: 19 July, 1977
AFL Rising Star Nominee: Round 10, 1998
Taken with Pick 8 in the 1997 Pre-Season Draft from Dandenong Stingrays U/18's (originally from Frankston Bombers), Darren Hulme was a feisty 175 cm midfielder who played over 100 games with the Blues. "Pup", who wore a tattoo on his left shoulder, became a regular with the Blues from late 1997 until 2003, other than some occasional soft tissue injuries and a serious knee injury in Round 5, 2002, which would keep him sidelined for the remainder of that season. He would return to being a regular in the side in 2003, playing 20 games (missing 2 due to injury). But after playing 7 of the first 9 games in 2004, he would miss the remainder of that season with a groin injury and then be delisted.
He would generally alternate on the ball with short stints in the forward line. He would earn an AFL Rising Star Nomination in 1998. One of Hulme's most memorable games was Round 9, 2001, when he would inspire a Blues' revival. He would take on two Roos players, yet was still able to beat them both to win the ball and force a turnover, which would result in an important goal that would change the course of the game. He would end up taking the 3 Brownlow votes that game and would record 10 for the year - the equal highest at the club.
Pup would take a few scalps with him on the way - a few wins in a row against Adelaide Legend (not yet a Legend but will be) Andrew McLeod, before the sheer pace of McLeod ended that move. Pup was also famous for his short kicking distance, at times looking like 30 metres was his distance.
In the struggle of 2002 and 2003, Carlton coaches would lament our inability to rotate players through the midfield, and Hulme's name would often be mentioned in the mix. He was a hard, key player for the Blues before succumbing to injury as our slide down the ladder in 2002 / 2003 was complete.
Let's not undervalue Hulme - a tough, hard at it competitor for the Ball, and a favourite of fans despite his sometime wayward (and short) kicking. His 102 games in the #27 guernsey (on top of 8 in the #47) was just enough to earn him a place on the locker- only the third Blue to do so.
Milestones
50th game in Round 15, 2000 against Adelaide100th game in Round 17, 2003 against Collingwood
Career Highlights
1998 - 3rd Reserves Best & Fairest2001 - 8th Best & Fairest
2001 - Equal Peter Sullivan Memorial Trophy (Most Carlton Votes in the Brownlow Medal)
2003 - 5th Best & Fairest
Links
Articles: Hulme Player ProfileBlueseum: Summary of playing statistics for Darren Hulme | Career Breakdown for Darren Hulme | Hulmes' Blueseum Image Gallery